Merlin engine (rocket) - Definition and Overview

The Merlin engine is a lower stage gas generator cycle RP-1 kerosene/liquid oxygen gas-generator rocket engine. The Merlin engine was developed for use on the Falcon I and Falcon V rockets by SpaceX and is designed for sea recovery and reuse.

Engine details

Performance

• Sea level thrust: 71,500 lbf (318 kN)
• Vacuum thrust: 85,000 lbf (378 kN)
• Sea level Isp: 261 lbf.s/lb (2.6 kNs/kg)
• Vacuum Isp: 310 lbf.s/lb (3.0 kNs/kg)
• Thrust-to-weight (fully accounted): 94

Note: performance specifications subject to change upon further testing

Operations

• Fuel: RP-1 rocket grade kerosene
• Oxidizer: Liquid oxygen

Sources and external resources

• SpaceX Falcon engines page (http://www.spacex.com/index.html?section=falcon&content=http%3A//www.spacex.com/falcon_engines.php)
• Race for Next Space Prize Ignites (http://www.wired.com/news/space/0,2697,66308,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_1): Wired article describing successful test firing